Source: Yahoo Sports
‘A little Magpie’ – why Mourinho ‘loves’ NewcastleImage source,Getty ImagesImage caption,Jose Mourinho previously won just one league game at St James’ Park during his spells at Chelsea, Manchester United and SpursByCiaran KellyFootball reporterPublished20 October 2025228 CommentsMark Robson was understandably a little nervous as he boarded the flight home from Madrid.Sir Bobby Robson’s son had a precious piece of hand luggage he needed to get back in one piece – a Ballon d’Or world coach of the year award.The gong was donated by Jose Mourinho for a charity auction in the name of his late mentor in 2011.It went on to help raise £26,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which aims to find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.And the family have never forgotten the gesture.”It was incredibly thoughtful of Jose to do that,” Mark said. “It shows you what he is like deep down.”It also illustrates the lasting affection Mourinho has for Sir Bobby, who he shadowed as an interpreter and assistant for five years in the 1990s, as the Portuguese prepares to take his Benfica side to St James’ Park.Make no mistake, Mourinho will be desperate to record just his fourth win on Tyneside when his team face Newcastle United in the Champions League on Tuesday night.But this will still be an occasion laced with emotion as he returns to “Mr Robson’s home” and makes his way past the bust of the former Newcastle manager in the players’ entrance.So how was this close bond forged?Much more than an interpreterThis was a time long before the ‘Special One’ moniker.In fact, it was Sir Bobby, rather than Mourinho, who was mobbed as he made his way through arrivals in 1992.The former England manager had just touched down in Lisbon to take charge of Sporting and club president Sousa Cintra was there to greet him.However, the Portuguese did not speak English so he brought polyglot Mourinho along.Mourinho had been recommended by Sporting assistant Manuel Fernandes, who had previously worked with the budding coach at Vitoria de Setubal and Estrela da Amadora.It was a moment that changed the course of Mourinho’s life.Mourinho stood alongside Sir Bobby on the training ground. He helped get his message across to the players and in the media and even accompanied him in meetings with the hierarchy.The pair were thrown together, with a 30-year age gap, but it was quickly apparent to Sporting defender Stan Valckx that they made a “good couple”.”During the team talk before the game, Bobby spoke for a few minutes to explain something and, then, Mourinho translated it into Portuguese,” he said. “It took 10 minutes with many emotions in what he was saying.”It was obvious that he was much more than an interpreter. He was very loyal and very ambitious. He was a big help for Bobby.”Sometimes he did exercises on the pitch and videos like what an assistant coach does. In those years, 90% of the Portuguese players didn’t speak English so there was a lot of work. Mourinho was very busy. …
Published: 2025-10-20T06:34:00
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